弁当箱
bentōbako[bẽ̞nto̞ːba̠ko̞]
The English phrase "lunch box" is translated into Japanese as 弁当箱 (bentōbako).
弁当箱 refers to the physical container used to carry a meal from home to work or school.
Which one should you use?
While 弁当箱 refers specifically to the physical container, お弁当 is often used to refer to the meal itself contained within it.
How do you pronounce it?
bentōbako
Did you know?
- Many Japanese people use the term キャラ弁 (kyaraben), which is a shorthand for 'character bento', to describe lunch boxes where food is decorated to look like cute animals or cartoon characters.
- You might encounter the term 駅弁 (ekiben), which refers specifically to specially made lunch boxes sold at train stations, often featuring local regional specialties.
- Historically, the 弁当 was often wrapped in bamboo leaves or cloth before the invention of the modern 弁当箱.
Examples in context
- あれはトムのお弁当箱？Is that Tom's lunch box?This sentence is useful for identifying the owner of a 弁当箱.Tatoeba #8757980 by bunbuku, translation #3199040 by CK
- 新しい弁当箱を買いました。Atarashii bentōbako o kaimashita.I bought a new lunch box.
- この弁当箱はとても軽いです。Kono bentōbako wa totemo karui desu.This lunch box is very light.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking in the office break room.
- 陽葵 Himariその弁当箱、かわいいですね。Sono bentōbako, kawaii desu ne.That lunch box is cute.
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます。プレゼントでもらったんです。Arigatō gozaimasu. Purezento de moratta ndesu.Thank you. I received it as a gift.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんのセンスはいいですね。Ren-san no sensu wa ii desu ne.You have good taste, Ren.
- 蓮 Renいえいえ、そんなことないですよ。Iie iie, sonna koto nai desu yo.No, no, that's not true.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 弁当箱, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
